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NBA, college football announcer Mark Jones is leaving ESPN after 36 years: 'Time to move on'

NBA ESPN announcer Mark Jones smiles and wears a headset while talking on the air
ESPN announcer Mark Jones talks on the air prior to calling a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Dallas Mavericks on March 4, 2020. (Michael Ainsworth / Associated Press)

Mark Jones has been an on-air staple on ESPN since the first Bush administration — as in George H.W. Bush, who served from 1989 to 1992.

So, yeah, it's been a long time.

And now, Jones says, "it's time to move on."

Jones' final ESPN broadcast will be Sunday, when he will serve as the play-by-play announcer for the Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics game on the final day of the NBA's regular season. It could very well be the last time the phrase "hotter than fish grease" is uttered on the network.

Read more:Stephen A. Smith explains his 'NBA Countdown' exit: 'I didn't want to be on the show'

"It's been a memorable journey these decades with the ABC/ESPN family, but I have decided that it's time to move on," Jones wrote in a statement posted Friday on Instagram. "From the day Dennis Swanson hired me in 1990 and working with the best producer in the business, Kim Belton, until today I will forever be grateful for the many friends and colleagues along the way."

Jones, 64, started at ESPN in 1990. As a play-by-play announcer, he is best known for calling NBA games but he has also covered college football, men’s and women’s college basketball, the WNBA and UFL. On June 2, 2022, Jones, Mark Jackson and Lisa Salters were the first all-Black crew to call an NBA Finals game on TV.

In addition, Jones has hosted the "NBA Today" studio show and been an anchor and reporter on "SportsCenter."

Read more:Tim Legler replaces Doris Burke on ESPN's lead NBA team; Burke inks contract extension

"Mark has made an enduring impact at ESPN since 1990, serving as a signature voice primarily within our NBA and college football coverage and across nearly all of our platforms," ESPN said in a statement. "We’re grateful for Mark's countless contributions and we wish him continued success."

Separate from his work at ESPN, Jones has also been the primary TV play-by-play announcer for the Sacramento Kings since 2020.

Jones hasn't indicated what he'll be doing next, but he ended his announcement with a big prediction for the future — and threw in his signature phrase for good measure.

"As I move on to my next chapter I believe my best work is yet to come," he wrote. "I'll be out there cookin' hotter than fish grease!"

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Phillies notes: Lineup change in the middle; latest on Zack Wheeler's timetable

Phillies notes: Lineup change in the middle; latest on Zack Wheeler's timetable originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

With his team’s run-scoring drought sitting at 20 innings, Phillies manager Rob Thomson tweaked the middle of his lineup for Friday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.

Thomson kept the top three spots in the order – Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper — the same as they had been in the first 12 games of the season, but moved Brandon Marsh up to the cleanup spot while dropping Alec Bohm, who had batted cleanup in the first 12 games, to seventh.

Using Marsh in the cleanup spot behind Schwarber and Harper and ahead of No. 5 hitter Bryson Stott gave the Phillies four left-handed bats in a row, a rare construction that Thomson was willing to deploy because the Diamondbacks do not have a left-hander in their bullpen and were starting a right-hander, Michael Soroka.

The Diamondbacks project to start three right-handers in the series, so Thomson could stick with the lefty-heavy middle of the order through the weekend.

“They don’t have a lefty in their ‘pen so we just stacked our lefties all together at the top,” Thomson said.

Marsh had 54 previous plate appearances and a .901 OPS in the four-hole in his career. He has been one of the Phillies’ most consistent hitters for almost a year. He entered Friday night’s game hitting .300 with an .825 OPS in 127 games since May 1. In 12 games this season, he was hitting .275 with a .727 OPS. He had three doubles, a homer and six RBIs.

Bohm belted a three-run home run on opening day but has otherwise struggled in the young season. He entered Friday night hitting .186 (8 for 43) with just two extra-base hits.

Without big power, Bohm is more suited to hit around sixth or seventh in a lineup. Preferring to use Schwarber and Harper near the top of the lineup leaves Thomson without a traditional cleanup option. Bohm often gets the call because of his ability to make contact. Thomson hopes the lineup move will get Bohm untracked.

“I just want him to be himself and use the whole field,” Thomson said.

That goes for the whole team.

“Guys are trying to do too much, swinging early in the count,” Thomson said. “We want them to work counts, work over pitches, chew up pitches, use the whole field, just keep moving the line.”

WHEELER’S TIMETABLE

Zack Wheeler will make his fourth minor-league rehab start Tuesday night for Double A Reading at Somerset.

He could make a fifth rehab start on Sunday April 19, if need be.

“He doesn’t have to have (the fifth start),” Thomson said. “But he’ll have time on the clock so we might take advantage of it if we can.”

Thomson added, “We’ll look at his stuff, his velocity, see how he feels. We’ll look at the command, all that stuff,” in determining if Wheeler will make one or two more minor-league starts.

Either way, the right-hander is nearing his return to the big-league rotation. Sometime during the Phils’ trip to Chicago and Atlanta (April 20-26) seems likely, unless Sunday April 19 comes into play at home.

Wheeler pitched 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball for Lehigh Valley on Wednesday night. He scattered three hits, walked one and struck out six.

“He touched 94 (mph) a few times, which is good,” Thomson said. “I think that’s pretty much normal for him this time of spring training. I’m not really concerned about (the velocity). I think it’s still going to go up. Adrenaline will kick in when he gets here and that will help. He’s still building some arm strength.”

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The Rangers Enter Final Stretch Of Season With More Questions

Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Dallas, Florida and Tampa Bay:  Three Rangers' road stops ahead and then the misery will be over.

And the re-something will begin.

So far "Retool" has had a few hundred different meanings but what it comes down to is this: The ability of Chris Drury to make a major deal – or even a minor one – is slimmer than Brennan Othmann – remember him?

But as it takes two to tango it takes one GM – initials C.D. – to make it work and when all's said and done, he has maybe one iffy-quality player to offer to the crowd.

His face-saving backup plan is to toss all the young'ins into the 2026-27 lineup and hope for the best.

But, as superscout Jess Rubenstein wisely notes, nobody but Gabe Perreault has shown to be capable of a first line role.

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College basketball transfer portal fills up with more than 2,000 men's players

Come for a shooting guard, stay to fill up 400 starting lineups – more than the 350-plus Division I college basketball programs.

The single-session, NCAA spring transfer window for men’s basketball opened its two-week calendar Tuesday, April 7, in the hours after Michigan topped Connecticut to win the national championship.

By midday Friday, April 10, per USA TODAY Sports research, more than 2,000 Division I players had entered their names into the transfer portal this week.

Duke guard Nikolas Khamenia (14) handles the ball against TCU during the second round game of the 2026 NCAA men's tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

A year ago, per data viewed by USA TODAY Sports, 2,754 men’s Division I basketball players entered the portal for the 2024-25 year.

On Jan. 14, 2026, the NCAA’s Division I Cabinet adopted the following protocols for both the men’s and women’s basketball transfer portal:

“At the recommendation of the Men's and Women's Basketball Oversight Committees, the transfer windows in men's and women's basketball will open for a 15-day period the day after the championship game for the respective NCAA tournament. The changes are effective immediately.

When a head coaching change occurs, a 15-day period will open five days after the new head coach is hired or publicly announced. If a new head coach is not announced within 30 days of the previous head coach's departure — and the 31st day after the head coach's departure is after the championship game — a 15-day window will open. The additional head coach departure window is available only after the basketball transfer window opens through Jan. 2. 

In basketball, midyear transfers are not eligible to compete at a second school if they enrolled at an NCAA school during the first academic term, regardless of whether they competed there.”

While mid-major basketball conferences are particularly being ravaged in this portal cycle – the Southern Conference, for instance, has 69 current portal entries from its 10-team membership, including seven of the 10 first- and second-team all-conference selections – the power conferences are not immune from departures.

The ACC, with 97 current entries among its 18 schools, tops among the Power Four with the quartet collectively has 322 players in the portal. The men’s total across NCAA Divisions I, II and III was 4,115.

Multiple ACC programs were ransacked. Boston College and Georgia Tech, both of which had head coaching changes, have seen 11 and nine portal entries, respectively; Notre Dame, a 13-18 season its third losing campaign in as many years under Micah Shrewsberry, also has seen seven players declare their intent to leave.

Oregon, after a 12-20 season, has nine players entered into the portal -- most in the Big Ten.

On the women’s side of things, 1,416 Division I players had entered their names by midday Friday; across all NCAA divisions, 2,352 players gained entry this week into the women’s transfer portal.

Just as in the men’s game, the women’s Power Four leagues also are absorbing massive turnover with 309 entrants from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Southeastern conferences.

Mississippi State (six) and Tennessee (eight) are among the hardest-hit women’s programs in power conferences.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball transfer portal has more than 2,000 men's players

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LeBron James reacts to a rare season without Steph Curry matchups

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shakes hands with LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers after their game at Chase Center on April 09, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In today’s Dub Hub:

For over a decade, the Golden State Warriors vs. LeBron James has been an NBA staple. Which is why, for a rivalry that has helped define an era of basketball, Steph Curry’s absence during Thursday night’s 119–103 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers was impossible to ignore.

The game marked the final regular-season meeting between the two teams, but with Curry sidelined as a precaution while ramping up from a knee injury, the latest chapter of his head-to-head history with James never came.

From James’ perspective, the realization didn’t hit until the day of the game — and even then, it caught him off guard.

With both teams shorthanded — the Lakers without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, and the Warriors missing Curry, Kristaps Porzingis, and several other key contributors — it was James who took center stage. The 22-time All-Star delivered a vintage performance, finishing with a near triple-double of 26 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds to secure Los Angeles’ 51st win of the season.

Still, the bigger takeaway went beyond the box score.

For most of their careers, Curry and James have been intertwined from four consecutive NBA Finals matchups to countless regular-season battles. Now, deep into their careers, that connection remains built on respect as much as competition.

And as James alluded to, with both superstars in the later stages of their careers, nothing is guaranteed — which is what made this missed opportunity feel a little more significant, but cherished by both stars, nonetheless.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, April 10th:

Warriors News:

Why no Steph Curry vs. LeBron James in 2025-26 season is a loss for everybody | NBC Sports Bay Area

Respect has been earned and admired by Curry and James. An all-time rivalry comes with the territory of greatness. 

“I think rivalries in general are defined by playoff matchups,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “That’s kind of the history of the way we look at Wilt [Chamberlain] vs. Bill Russell, Bird-Magic. I think they had three Finals confrontations. What would some of the other ones be? I don’t know. Steph and LeBron has to be up there.” 

NBA intel: What execs, coaches, scouts are watching this postseason | ESPN

Can Stephen Curry power Golden State to two road wins?

Bontemps: The immediate answer from league insiders I spoke to was “no.” Obviously, it’s been a brutal season for Golden State from an injury perspective, including losing both Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody for the season, plus the Jonathan Kuminga drama over the first half of the season and Kristaps Porzingis and Curry missing large chunks of the second half.

“I’m not sure they even win the 9-10 game, let alone both,” a West scout said. “It’s one thing when Steph gets it going at home and he’s got that crowd roaring behind him. That’s a real thing.

“It’s different when they’re on the road and he’s doing it somewhere else. That same factor just isn’t there.”

Brandin Podziemski explains why it ‘means a lot’ to play in every game this season

NBA News:

NBA’s most valuable players in 15 categories: Scoring, shooting, more | ESPN

Rainmaker: Best 3-point shooter

Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Net points: plus-2.3 per game, plus-163 total

Why he ranks No. 1: Murray has been good at shooting 3s for years, but this year he is great. Per Genius IQ, he’s shooting 46% on 3s off the catch, 2% better than his previous high. He’s shooting 42% off the dribble, equaling his career high, but on an extra 1.5 attempts per game. Defending players who can create 3s off the dribble is hard, especially with guys such as Murray, who can also get by you with a dribble. That’s why his shooting has led to his best overall offensive season.

The runners-up: Stephen Curry (+2.1), Kon Knueppel (plus-1.9), Anthony Edwards (plus-1.8)

Top rookie: Knueppel (plus-1.9)

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on tonight’s Jazz-Grizzlies matchup: ‘We have arrived at the tanking Super Bowl’

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

This season robbed us of Stephen Curry vs LeBron James

Look at what we missed. During their long rivalry they’ve traded highlights and crazy box scores. Per Basketball Reference, in the regular season head-to-head data LeBron is averaging 30.2 points on 20.9 field goal attempts across 27 games. Steph is answering with 24.9 points and 6.5 assists across those same 27 matchups. That’s two legends still going to work every single time they see each other. And this season, we didn’t get one chapter of it.

A post to end the week:

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

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2019 Draft Mistakes Continue To Haunt The Canucks

Six years ago, Jim Benning and the Vancouver Canucks used the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft to select Vasily Podkolzin. The Russian winger was playing for Neva St. Petersburg and was the second-ranked International Skater heading into the draft. While hindsight is 20/20, even at the time, there were debates about whether the Canucks selected the right prospect. 

Fast forward to today, and the decision to draft Podkolzin remains a haunting moment for the organization. Not only has Podkolzin been traded, but two of the players who were drafted in close proximity to him are thriving in the NHL. Those players are Matthew Boldy and Cole Caufield, who both have hit the 85-point mark this season. 

Starting with Boldy, he is the type of winger that Vancouver hoped Podkolzin would develop into. Listed at 6'2", 201 lbs, the 25-year-old has become a force in the offensive zone and this season, has added penalty killing to his tool kit. Drafted two spots behind Podkolzin, Boldy ranks third in goals and assists as well as second in the draft class for points. 

As for Caufield, he has developed into one of the best scoring wingers in the NHL. Listed at 5'8", 175 lbs, the 25-year-old is enjoying his first 50-goal campaign and recently surpassed the 300-point mark for his career. Drafted five spots after Podkolzin, Caufield is a great example of why teams should not overlook smaller players, as he ranks first in goals and third in points among 2019 draft picks. 

Boldy and Caufield are just two examples in a long list of draft misses for the Canucks from the last decade. While it is not a guarantee that these two players would have vaulted Vancouver into contender status, it is hard to imagine the Canucks being in a similar position as they are now if either were currently on the active roster. With potentially five picks in the top 100 of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Vancouver has the chance to select prospects who will one day hopefully impact the Canucks, just like Boldy and Caufield have for the Minnesota Wild and Montréal Canadiens. 

Apr 9, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield (13) celebrates after scoring his fiftieth goal of the season during the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Apr 9, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield (13) celebrates after scoring his fiftieth goal of the season during the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

Canucks’ Brock Boeser Nominated For 2026 King Clancy Trophy

Brock Boeser Takes Sole Possession Of 8th All-Time In Points In Canucks History

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Series Preview: Red Sox at Cardinals

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 26: Manager Oliver Marmol #37 of the St. Louis Cardinals chats with St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom prior to a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Tampa Bay Rays on Opening Day at Busch Stadium on March 26, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Red Sox doubled their win total in 2026 by taking two-out-of-three against the Milwaukee Brewers and, realistically, came within a play or two Monday night from sweeping one of the best teams in the National League. They split the first homestand of the year 3-3 and head off to the midwest for a six-game road trip against the St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Twins.

Connelly Early won a rotation spot out of Spring Training and has shown no indication that the Red Sox were asking too much for a young pitcher who has six major league starts to his name. He’s lasted 5.1 and 4. 0 innings which hasn’t been the greatest for the bullpen so far, but is mostly what you’d expect from him at this point. He has 10 strikeouts against 4 walks, 8 hits, and 3 runs in his 9.1 innings this season. His cup of coffee in 2025 certainly helped prepare Early to make the rotation this season. And the pitcher he’s facing is a big part of that. Yes, Dustin May, the reinforcement who wasn’t, is a Cardinal. In his two starts May has given up 6 runs in 4.0 innings and 7 runs in 3.1. He’s struck out 7, walked 3, and given up a whopping 17 hits.

Saturday is a national Game of the Week on FOX and features Ranger Suárez making his third start for Boston. The first two have been mostly forgettable. At 4.1 and 4.0 innings and 4 runs allowed in each, he hasn’t shown the talent he did in Philadelphia. Granted the WBC altered his spring and seems to have slowed down his progress so hopefully things will start clicking into place. Kyle Leahy pitched mostly out of the ‘pen before this season with 62 appearances in 2025 and just a single start. In two starts this year he’s totaled 10.0 innings, 6 runs allowed, 5 Ks and 5 BBs. Like May, he’s right-handed, which for the lefty-heavy Sox is always nice to see. Let those bats heat up!

Sunday afternoon the Red Sox send the frustrating Brayan Bello to the mound. Bello needed to pitch more than 3.1 innings in his last appearance. He never quite got into any type of groove and forced Alex Cora to run out a sub-optimal bullpen. Combined with a shaky defense and Boston has lost both of his starts. There were more strikeouts, 5, than you’d expect from Bello but also 4 walks. In, again, just 3.1 innings. Not even a quality start, but simply 5 innings, hopefully no more 2 runs. He figured it out last year in June, maybe he can get into gear a little earlier. Andre Pallante made 31 starts last season but prior to that split his time with the bullpen, peaking at 62 relief appearances back in 2023. In 2025 he posted a 5.31 ERA/4.68 FIP. This season he’s off to a 1.80 ERA but 4.29 FIP start. His two starts this year have gone OK at 5.0 innings apiece with 0 and 2 runs. However, a 5:7 K:BB ratio is something the Sox can exploit with patience. Even Rafaela took a walk last week. Starting, relieving, Pallante has never posted a K:BB greater than 1.96. And in his career he has allowed over a hit per inning.

Despite being in a rebuild – and also the season being so young – the Cardinals have had one of the most successful offenses in 2026. Their 59 runs scored ties them with the Miami Marlins for 6th in the majors. The Red Sox have scored just 44, 7th from the bottom. That’s largely small sample size – the Reds are last in MLB with 38 runs scored and have an 8-5 record. Jordan Walker has 5 home runs on the year with a big start to his age-24 season but that’s their big offensive star so far. Alec Burelson has 10 walks, Ivan Gerrera 12. JJ Wetherholt has 3 stolen bases.

Probable Pitching Matchups

Friday, April 10: Connelly Early (2.89 ERA / 2.97 FIP) vs. Dustin May (15.95 ERA / 6.46 FIP)

Saturday, April 11: Ranger Suárez (8.64 ERA / 6.19 FIP) vs. Kyle Leahy (3.27 ERA / 2.73 FIP)

Sunday, April 12: Brayan Bello (9.00 ERA / 5.69 FIP) vs. Andre Pallante (1.80 ERA / 4.29 FIP)

When/Where to Watch

Friday, April 10 at 8:15 PM ET on NESN

Saturday, April 11: 7:15 PM ET on FOX

Sunday, April 12: 1:35 PM ET on NESN

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Pelicans vs Celtics Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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On the penultimate night of the 2025-26 NBA season, every team is in action, and the Boston Celtics will look to secure the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with a win over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans.

Boston’s elite defense should slow down a shorthanded New Orleans offense, and my Pelicans vs. Celtics predictions call for a low-scoring affair at TD Garden.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this cross-conference tilt on Friday, April 10.

Pelicans vs Celtics prediction

Pelicans vs Celtics best bet: Under 224 (-110)

With just two games remaining in the season, the Boston Celtics’ magic number to clinch the No. 2 seed is 1.

The C’s can fall to the No. 3 seed if they lose out and the New York Knicks win out, making tonight’s matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans meaningful.

I expect Boston’s defense to be engaged and put the clamps on a shorthanded Pelicans squad.

The Pels’ offense hasn’t lit the world on fire this season. The team ranks 17th overall in points per game (115.4) and 23rd on the road (112.4).

New Orleans ranks 20th in offensive rating overall (113.2) and 111.9 on the road.

New Orleans has hit the Under in 41 of 80 games.

Conversely, Boston sports one of the best defenses in the Association. The Celtics allow the fewest points per game (107) and own the fourth-best defensive rating (111.8).

The C’s also sport the slowest pace, and with a 29-51 mark, they’ve hit the Under at a higher percentage than any other team (63.8%).

New Orleans will be without Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, and Yves Missi, while key scorer Saddiq Bey is listed as questionable.

Rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen will have to shoulder the load offensively, and my money’s on Boston’s world-class defense locking down a road team led by a pair of rookies.

Pelicans vs Celtics same-game parlay

The Celtics can clinch the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and guarantee home-court advantage through the semifinals.

The Pels are simply playing for pride, but all of their starters are out, and they won’t have enough left in the tank to hang with the Celtics on the road. 

The Celtics have covered the spread in two of three games as home favorites of 15+ points.

Neemias Queta recorded a double-double in his last game out, and he’s reached that statistical milestone in three of his last five games.

The big man should feast against a Pelicans frontcourt missing Yves Missi, Zion Williamson, and Karlo Matkovic.

Pelicans vs Celtics SGP

  • Under 225.5
  • Celtics -16
  • Neemias Queta double-double

Our "from downtown" SGP: Baylor Makes Hay!

Derrick White has gone Under this combo line in 11 straight games, but he’s in a great position to buck that trend.

New Orleans’ defense has been poor all season, but the absence of multiple key defenders - especially at the guard position - will open up opportunities for White to score, rebound, and facilitate at a high level.

Baylor Scheierman tied his career high in scoring on Thursday, dropping 20 points in a loss to the New York Knicks.

I’m not chasing that production, but he should have more opportunities to build on this performance with Jayson Tatum out and Jaylen Brown banged up.

Pelicans vs Celtics SGP

  • Neemias Queta double-double
  • Derrick White Over 25.5 PRA
  • Baylor Scheierman Over 18.5 PRA

Pelicans vs Celtics odds

  • Spread: Pelicans +16 | Celtics -16
  • Moneyline: Pelicans +850 | Celtics -1400
  • Over/Under: Over 224 | Under 224

Pelicans vs Celtics betting trend to know


The Boston Celtics have hit the Game Total Under in 35 of their last 50 games (+18.50 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Celtics.

How to watch Pelicans vs Celtics

LocationTD Garden, Boston, MA
DateFriday, April 10, 2026
Tip-off7:30 p.m. ET
TVPelicans+, NBC Sports Boston

Pelicans vs Celtics latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
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Lakers waive Kobe Bufkin, expected to make signing over weekend

EL SEGUNDO, CA - APRIL 3: Kobe Bufkin #6 of the South Bay Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers during the 2026 G League Playoffs Semifinals on April 3, 2026 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

With the playoffs fast approaching and the Lakers dealing with key injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, they will be opening up a roster spot by reportedly waiving Kobe Bufkin.

Shams Charania of ESPN was the first to report the move, and the team made it official shortly after.

Los Angeles signed Kobe Bufkin to a two-year deal this season, but he has seen limited action for the Lakers.

Bufkin played in just 16 games for the purple and gold, and only logged 10-plus minutes in four of them. His best performance was in a loss against the Spurs back in February.

In that contest, he scored seven points. Bufkin was originally signed to the Lakers due to his stellar play with South Bay. In the G League, he averaged 24.7 points and 3.6 assists per game. That level of production never happened for him during his stint with the main team.

Now that Bufkin has been waived, the Lakers have an open roster spot.

The Lakers have just two games left in their NBA season, but will be playing in the playoffs and need as many playable players as possible. They can only sign players who were free agents as of March 1, so the pool of players they can add to their postseason roster is limited.

Perhaps a veteran point guard like Chris Paul can join the roster? Paul signed with the Clippers last summer and had a nasty breakup with the other LA team. He was ultimately traded to Toronto and waived by the Raptors.

He announced retirement shortly after being waived, but a postseason run with the Lakers might be the kind of opportunity he’d be excited to take. Paul is playoff-eligible, so this is a possibility that makes sense for all involved.

While the player the Lakers will add is unknown, what is certain is that another move is coming. If Los Angeles waived a player this late into the season when they are already shorthanded, then they clearly have someone in mind that can help the team win now.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Thunder vs Nuggets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Denver Nuggets host the Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA action on Friday night.

My Thunder vs. Nuggets predictions are fading an OKC side that is resting almost its entire starting rotation.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this Western Conference clash on April 10.

Thunder vs Nuggets prediction

Thunder vs Nuggets best bet: Thunder team total Under 110.5 (-120)

The Oklahoma City Thunder have given most of their rotation players the night off after clinching the No. 1 seed. Four starters, including MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are ruled out along with several key bench players.

OKC has just eight players available, with three of them on two-way contracts. Their best offensive player will likely be Lu Dort, who shoots 38.7% from the floor.

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have listed all five starters, including Nikola Jokic, as questionable.

This game could be ugly, and since we don't know who will suit up for Denver, I'll fade OKC on its team total.

Thunder vs Nuggets same-game parlay

The Nuggets still have something to play for, since they currently have the No. 3 seed, but are just one game ahead of the Lakers and Rockets.

Expect them to play at least a few of their starters in an effort to win, although they could rest them in the second half if they build a big lead. That has me laying the points on the 1H spread. 

Jamal Murray is questionable due to a shoulder impingement. That said, the guard dropped 26 points on Wednesday, and books have released player props for him.

I'll back him to eclipse 22.5 points, with this leg simply being canceled if he doesn't play.

Thunder vs Nuggets SGP

  • Thunder team total Under 110.5
  • Nuggets -6.5 1H
  • Jamal Murray Over 22.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Denver domination

If Jokic and Murray suit up, this game could get out of hand. So lets take a swing on Denver winning big if that's the case.

That involves backing Jokic and Murray on their points and assists props, which will be easy numbers to clear against the Thunder "B team." 

Thunder vs Nuggets SGP

  • Nuggets -12
  • Nikola Jokic Over 23.5 points
  • Nikola Jokic Over 9.5 assists
  • Jamal Murray Over 22.5 points
  • Jamal Murray Over 6.5 assists

Thunder vs Nuggets odds

  • Spread: Thunder +12 | Nuggets -12
  • Moneyline: Thunder +400 | Nuggets -550
  • Over/Under: Over 231.5 | Under 231.5

Thunder vs Nuggets betting trend to know

The Nuggets have hit the Moneyline in 29 of their last 45 games (+12.95 Units / 7% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Nuggets.

How to watch Thunder vs Nuggets

LocationBall Arena, Denver, CO
DateFriday, April 10, 2026
Tip-off9:00 p.m. ET
TVFDSN Oklahoma, Altitude

Thunder vs Nuggets latest injuries

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Crawfish Boil: Arrighetti deals, Altuve’s Zone, Smith Extension?, Astrodome 1965 Open, Jackie is a Dodger & More

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 30: Spencer Arrighetti #41 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Daikin Park on August 30, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The latest news on the Houston Astros and from around MLB:

Spencer Arrighetti was dealing in what should be his last start for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys before joining the Houston Astros:

Has ABS finally made the strike zone fair for Jose Altuve?

Should the Astros consider signing Cam Smith to an extension?

Flashback: April 10, 1965. The Astrodome.

Flashback April 10, 1947. Jackie Robinson is officially a Brooklyn Dodger.

Fun fact about Dodgers Stadium the day it opened from Vin Scully:

Mason Miller. Wow.

MLB Free Agency turns 50. Buster Olney looks at the best and worst free agent deals.

Nasty outfield collision for the Tigers:

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Longtime ESPN NBA voice Mark Jones splitting with network before playoffs

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Two commentators, a man and a woman, are on a court holding microphones with ESPN logos

Mark Jones’ time at ESPN is over.

Jones, who’s been calling games for ESPN for 36 years, will leave the network before the playoffs, The Athletic reported Friday.

His last broadcast will be Sunday’s Celtics-Magic game at 6 p.m.

Mark Jones has been with ESPN since 1990, mostly doing play-by-play for the network’s NBA coverage. NBAE via Getty Images

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that Jones left by choice, though it’s unclear why.

Jackson added that ESPN said Jones could’ve stayed, and he is not expected to retire, per The Athletic.

ESPN also released a statement Friday about Jones’ departure.

“Mark has made an enduring impact at ESPN since 1990, serving as a signature voice primarily within our NBA and college football coverage and across nearly all of our platforms,” ESPN said in the statement. “We’re grateful for Mark’s countless contributions and we wish him continued success.”

Jones had been with ESPN since 1990, mostly calling NBA and college football games.

At one point in his career, he was ESPN’s No. 2 NBA voice behind the iconic Mike Breen. That allowed him to fill in and call two NBA Finals games when Breen came down with COVID in 2022.

Since then, though, he’s been leapfrogged by the likes of Dave Pasch and Ryan Ruocco on ESPN’s depth chart.

Jones — a former NYU basketball player — started his broadcasting journey following his playing career ending in 1986.

Mark Jones will not retire following his departure from ESPN, which will come after his final game on Sunday. NBAE via Getty Images

He first began as an anchor for The Sports Network in his home country of Canada, hosting the Toronto Blue Jays magazine show until 1990.

His time at ESPN began after that stint as the host of “NBA Today,” a weekly show. He eventually moved his way up to play-by-play duties, where recently he’s been paired with analysts like Jay Bilas, Doris Burke and Jon Barry on ESPN’s coverage. He even briefly called games for the Sacramento Kings.

Jones also made appearances on ESPN’s college football coverage, working with analyst Louis Riddick. He often called Pac-12 late games prior to the conference’s realignment in 2024.

He’s also called men’s and women’s college basketball, WNBA and NHL games over the course of his career.

Now, Jones will look for the next stop of his lengthy career.

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Celtics could be without multiple starters against Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 31: Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics react against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on January 31, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

BOSTON — The Celtics will be without several key players when they face the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. Jayson Tatum (right Achilles injury management) is sidelined on the second night of a back-to-back, while Jaylen Brown (left Achilles tendinitis) is questionable.

Tatum is currently not playing back-to-backs as he returns from an Achilles injury, and opted to play on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in order to overcome that mental hurdle. He finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists in a 112-106 loss to the Knicks.

Brown has missed three games in the past two weeks due to Achilles soreness, but said he was not concerned about the injury long-term.

“Nah, everybody’s dealing with something — just some soreness,” Brown said in Atlanta in late March. “Definitely want to make sure you stay healthy as much as possible & you don’t want to risk anything, but it’ll be fine going forward.”

In addition to Tatum and Brown both potentially being sidelined, Sam Hauser (low back spasm), Derrick White (right knee contusion), and Neemias Queta (toe sprain) are all on the injury report and listed as probable to play. All three players were on the injury report ahead of Thursday’s Celtics-Knicks game, but all ultimately played.

Of note, White is two blocks away from becoming the first player in NBA history to record 200 three-pointers and 100 blocks in a single season — though he hasn’t recorded a block in four straight games for the first time all season.

With the Celtics shorthanded, Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh will likely both continue to see increased run. Scheierman is coming off a career night in which he exploded for 20 points on 7-8 shooting, 18 of which came in the second half. And Walsh has fully returned to the rotation over the past two weeks, starting on Thursday night in place of Jaylen Brown.

The Pelicans are 26-54 and have the 11th-best record in the Western Conference. They’ll be without several key players: Dejounte Murray (left hand contusion), Zion Williamson (right knee injury management), Trey Murphy III (right ankle sprain), Yves Missi (right hand sprain), Bryce McGowens (right small toe fracture), Karlo Matkovic (low back injury management), Herbert Jones (rest), and Saddiq Bey (rest).

Friday’s game actually has seeding implications for the Celtics

The Celtics (54-26) currently have a two-game lead in the standings and need to win one of their next two games to secure the No. 2 seed. They face the Pelicans on Friday, and the Orlando Magic on Sunday.

The Knicks (52-28) face the Toronto Hornets on Friday and the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. If they drop one of those games, the Celtics will automatically secure the No. 2 seed, regardless of the Celtics’ outcomes over the next two games.

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2026 NBA Most Improved Player predictions: NBC Sports roundtable is a fan of Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Every day this week, the NBC Sports NBA writing crew is breaking down the league's individual postseason awards and giving you their thoughts and predictions. We've done MVP, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year. Finally, let's get into Most Improved Player. Here's where we stand.

Most Improved Player

Kurt Helin, NBC Sports Lead NBA Writer: Jalen Duren

No award this season has me flipping my vote back-and-forth between two players like Most Improved, because both Duren and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have great cases. I lean toward Duren because of his significantly improved play on both sides of the ball without some dramatic change of role or situation — he just got better, and the Pistons are not the No. 1 seed in the East without that leap. His handle got better, and that meant not only was he creating his own shot now, but his turnovers fell way down. He's become a paint protector of a high order on defense. Also, Duren showed real leadership, and when Cade Cunningham went out at the end of the season, he had the Pistons going 8-3. All that said, the case for NAW is equally compelling (our other writers will get more into his case).

One pet peeve: The argument that NAW "gets closer to the spirit of the award" — I detest that line of reasoning. For me, the idea that the Most Improved Player award is supposed to highlight a player who wasn't a high pick is crap. This is not the "we thought you were mid/sucked, but you're actually good" award; this is supposed to go to the most improved player. Period. I am considering having Victor Wembanyama on my ballot for that reason.

Jay Coucher, NBC Sports Lead Betting Analyst: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

The odds-on favorite for MIP, NAW has reinvented his game in year 7 on his fourth team. His 9.4 to 20.4 PPG increase, on career-best efficiency and in only 7.9 more minutes per game, is the third-highest scoring increase of the last 25 years.

He remains an elite defender (third in the NBA for turnovers forced) and his offensive evolution is a key reason why Atlanta, the defining play-in tournament team of our generation, will likely finish in the East's top 6.

Raphielle Johnson, NBC Sports Fantasy basketball lead analyst: Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Jalen Johnson's continued emergence as a star is the biggest reason the Hawks have improved this season, but Alexander-Walker's growth isn't far behind. He's got nine 30-point games to his credit this season, and he boasts career-high averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals and three-pointers. Alexander-Walker has always been a plus defender; his emergence offensively has changed the equation for the Hawks.

Eric Samulski, MLB/NBA Writer, NBC Sports: Ryan Rollins

I'm not sure anybody can explain the exact criteria for Most Improved Player. Is it Stephon Castle turning into a legit max contract player? Is it Nickeil Alexander-Walker becoming an offensive force for Atlanta? I'm gonna choose to honor Ryan Rollins going from a player who was waived by one of the worst teams in basketball to being a legit starting point guard in the NBA. Rollins went from 6.2 points per game to 17.1 points per game. From 1.9 assists to 5.6 assists. He more than doubled his minutes per game. The was the main offensive weapon for the Bucks for stretches of the season. I'm just not sure anybody improved their overall standing in the NBA more than Rollins this year.